Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I grabbed my phone, needing Ledger in the worst way, only to remember he never gave me his new number last night. I could have asked. I should have asked, and probably would have if not for the wishy-washy emotions that ran through me after the bathroom scene yesterday. I could work around this. Besides, when the tough gets going, you get smart. I pulled up Sinclair Roofing through my internet browser, found his office number, clicked on it, and brought the phone up to my ear. It was that phone call that had me picking up the keys to my Tahoe, sliding on my flip-flops, and hitting the local watering hole. The call replays in my memory, confusing me even more.
“Sinclair Roofing, this is Ella, how can I help you?” I know that voice, remember the woman on the other end of the line, and it isn’t in a good way.
“Hi, is Ledger available?” I don’t give her my name or tell her the reason for the call; it’s enough that I didn’t hang up the second she answered.
“May I ask what this about?” Classic, answering a question with a question. I know it’s a lost cause, but I make her aware that I’m back in town, and this time, I’m not leaving.
“Hi, Ella, this is Tulsa Rose. He was here last night, and I forget to get his phone number. If you could pass along that I called, it would be greatly appreciated.” I turned on my charm. Not for her sake; for mine.
“Will do.” We both know she won’t, the sneaky bitch that she is will keep the call to herself. What’s a girl to do when the world is conspiring against her? Sit in her house and cry again? No thanks. I’ve done enough of that for two lifetimes.
“I can’t believe my eyes. Tulsa Rose, are you home, sugar?” I plop down on an old barstool, the leather creaking in protest. I’m still in the cut-off jean shorts, tank top, hair piled on top, a piece of scrap fabric wrapped around my head to hold it back and away from my face.
“Hank, you’re a sight for sore eyes, and yes, I am. I’m not leaving Orange Blossom unless it’s to bring my best friend back or for work. I’ve sure missed you.” A grandfather figure for a lot of us kids growing up, he’d keep an eye on me when I’d run the streets of the downtown area. The candy shop or ice cream place were where I’d be, then Hank would appear, standing outside the bar I’m now officially old enough to be in, watching over me while Montgomery took care of a few errands.
“Glad to see you home. Come here and give me a hug, then I’ll buy your first round. Something tells me you need it.” I’m out of my seat and flying around the bar, ducking under the old-fashioned opening that has the bar top on a hinge to open and close. Hank is wrapping me up in a bear hug I needed more than I realized. The smell of cigarette smoke, leather, and Old Spice envelops me.
“Oh, Hank, you may as well start a tab. It’s been one of those days.” He doesn’t let me go, not even when I start to pull back thinking he’d be done with our hug. He squeezes me one last time, kisses the top of my head, and looks me over from head to toe in that fatherly way.
“Then you came to a good place. Tell me what you’ve been up to, what you want to drink, and if you’re still eating pickles like they’re popsicles.” He moves toward the cash register. I don’t leave behind the bar area yet, instead leaning on it to continue our talk.
“Vodka and cranberry, double, in a single glass, please.” Hank doesn’t blink an eye. He must see how I feel on the inside. “As for pickles, the more the merrier. Do you still have the bacon cheeseburger on the menu?” I ask as he taps away on the cash register.
“We do. I suppose you want your usual with extra pickles and extra crispy fries?” Montgomery would stop by Hanks on a Friday night after work, have a beer or two, order our dinner, and bring it home. He never made me feel left out or that I was a nuisance, even though I knew there were times I was a total drag when it came to him coming and going. It wasn’t until I got my license that he finally started hanging out with friends more regularly. Sadly, that’s when he found the worst girlfriend ever.
“Yes.” He sets my drink down in front of me not even two minutes later. The bar is dead at this time of day, and in the middle of the week no less. “I got a job at R&R, start next week. That’s not the only reason I’m home, though. I missed this place. It took a long time for me to realize it, too dang long. A lot of therapy and a best friend who was willing to push me out of my comfort zone even if it meant she’d be staying back in Alabama.”